Universal attachment means for motors and compensation spring for rolling shutters and the like

Abstract: Universal attachment means for motors and compensation springs for rolling shutters and the like and comprising brackets (2) and plates (1) having pluralities of holes (4), (5), (6) appropriately positioned, distributed, spaced and aligned in such a manner as to allow any mutual positioning between the plates and bracket and any arrangement and position of the fastening means of motor units and/or compensation springs having any configuration.

Description: The present invention relates to universal attachment means for motors and compensation springs for rolling shutters and the like. Specifically the present invention relates to universal attachment means for motors and compensation springs for rolling shutters and the like comprising side brackets and plates, coupled and constrained mutually. As known, to apply power units and compensation springs within the boxes for window and door frames in general there are used at present special fixed brackets on which are engaged vertical side plates. Said means are positioned, prearranged, prepared and constrained for each application on the basis of the dimensions of the motors and selected compensation springs. It is clear that as the types of motors and compensation springs in trade suitable for the purpose are different the constraining and supporting brackets and plates to be applied to the boxes must be positioned and dimensioned differently for each application on the basis of the type of motor and/or compensation spring employed. This involves considerable organisational and production inconveniences as regards the necessary preparation of all the bracket and plate types corresponding to the motors and springs presently in trade and their necessary packaging, storage and distribution on the basis of the specific exigencies and requirements. The purpose of the present invention is to eliminate the above mentioned inconveniences. Specifically the purpose of the present invention is to provide universal attachment means which can be employed for applying any type of motor and/or compensation spring. A combination of bracket and plate intended to provide a so-called universal attachment means for rolling shutters and their accessories is known from FR-A-697 241. The universal attachment means disclosed in this document have the features defined in the preamble of claim 1. The universal attachment means of the present invention are characterized by the fact that the at least one bracket is provided with two parallel rows of holes with each row having a curved or inclined trend, and the plate is provided with a central hole, a first series of upper holes and lower holes having equal distance between centres and corresponding to the distances between centres of the two parallel rows of holes and a second series of holes arranged in accordance with configurations symmetrical in relations to the central hole. The holes are positioned, distributed, spaced and mutually alignable in such a manner as to allow pluralities of different couplings and joining with constraint means such as screws, bolts and the like. Each of said couplings is proportioned to achieve the desired position and quick and functional fastening of motor units and/or compensation springs having configurations different but equally useable for the same applications. The brackets are provided with pluralities of holes whose locations correspond to different possibilities of positioning and constraint for the vertical supporting plates for rolling shutter drums and for the associated power sources. The plates in turn have a plurality of holes whose locations correspond to different possibilities of positioning and constraint for different models of motor units and/or compensation springs. The plates and brackets are coupled together with alignment of the corresponding holes and are rigidly constrained in the desired position with fastening means such as screws, bolts, pins or the like. The advantages achieved by the present invention consist essentially of the fact that with a single type of bracket and a single type of plate there can be prepared within rolling shutter boxes side supports with different hole positions corresponding to and alignable with constraint means for different models of motor units and/or compensation springs. Basically with a single type of bracket and a single type of plate there can be provided all the possible couplings for rolling shutter drums with any type of motor and/or compensation spring. Said bracket and plate are virtually of the so-called "universal" type. Their standardised preparation allows considerable construction, storage and application economies. To better understand the characteristics of the universal attachment means for motors and/or compensation springs of the present invention they are described below with reference to the figures in the annexed drawings representing an embodiment given only by way of nonlimiting example wherein: FIG. 1 shows a front view of a universal plate, FIG. 2 shows a front view of a universal bracket, FIG. 3 shows a front view of combinations of the plate of FIG. 1 with brackets as shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 shows a diagrammatic perspective view of a plate with associated brackets in the assembly of the control means of a rolling shutter drum. With reference to the figures the means of attachment for motors and compensation springs for rolling shutters or the like of the present invention comprise a plate (1) and brackets (2). The plate (1) preferably quadrangular in form is provided with a first series of upper holes (4) and lower holes (4') whose distances between centres are equal and correspond to the distances between centres of two parallel rows of holes (5,5') of which the brackets (2) are provided. Each row of holes (5,5') of the bracket (2) has a virtually curved or inclined course. Said brackets (2) can be coupled and constrained to the plate (1) in accordance with different positions, higher or lower, more to the right or more to the left, depending on the pair of holes (5,5') selected for preparation with the upper holes (4) or lower holes (4'). Basically, with the upper holes (4) of the plate (1) can be coupled and engaged a bracket (2), straight or overturned, by means of any of its pairs of holes (5,5'). In like manner, with the lower holes (4') of the same plate (1) can be coupled and engaged a second bracket (2), straight or overturned, by means of any of its pairs of holes (5,5'). The result is that the brackets (2) in relation to the engagement with the plate (1) can be aligned or misaligned, straight or overturned or opposed, in an intermediate position and so forth, with as many possibilities as there are possible combinations of couplings of the pairs of holes (5,5') of two brackets (2) with the pairs of holes (4,4') of the plate (1). The constraint of the brackets (2) with the plate (1) in alignment of the holes (4,4') and (5,5') can be provided by means of screws or bolts (8), pins or other analogous fastening means. The plate (1) is also provided with a second series of holes (6) arranged in accordance with symmetrical configurations in relation to the central hole (7) for connection of the rolling shutter drums (9) to the respective motors. The holes (6) are provided in accordance with geometry corresponding to that of the anchoring points of motors and compensating springs, usually useable in such applications and normally available in trade. Depending on the model of motor and/or compensation spring there can be used certain holes (6) rather than others through which are engage the screws or bolts (8) or equivalent. The combination of possible couplings of constraint points for motors and/or compensating springs for different models and/or types with the holes (6) of the plate (1) and the above combinations of the pairs of holes (5,5') of two brackets (2) with the pairs of holes (4 and 4') of the plate (1) allow preparation of any configuration of powered rolling shutters rollers in a simple, fast, economical and functional manner. While the present invention has been described with reference to an embodiment illustrated in the figures it will be clear to those skilled in the art that various changes to the form of the components, the distribution and position of the plurality of the holes, the number thereof and the combinations can be made without thereby exceeding its scope and purpose.

Claims: Universal attachment means for motors and compensation springs for rolling shutters comprising at least one bracket (2) and a plate (1) combined and constrained by means of fasteners (8), each of said at least one bracket (2) and plate (1) being provided with a plurality of holes (4, 4', 5, 5', 6) for coupling of the at least one bracket (2) to the plate (1) in accordance with a plurality of mutual positionings and for anchoring of any power unit and/or compensation spring to the plate (1), characterized in that the at least one bracket (2) is provided with two parallel rows of holes (5, 5') with each row having a curved or inclined trend, and the plate (1) is provided with a central hole (7), a first series of upper holes (4) and lower holes (4') having equal distance between centres and corresponding to the distances between centres of the two rows of parallel holes (5,5') and a second series of holes (6) arranged in accordance with configurations symmetrical in relation to the central hole (7). The universal means according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one bracket (2) in relation to the plate (1) assumes without distinction centred of off-centre, aligned or unaligned, spaced or closed, symmetrical or asymmetrical, straight or overturned or mixed positions. The universal means according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plate (1) with at least one bracket (2) assumes 'arrangements and mutual constraints suitable for support and constraint of any type or model of motor and/or compensation springs. The universal means according to any one of the proceeding claims, wherein the at least one bracket (2) and the plate (1) can be mutually coupled and constrained for support and constraint of motors and compensation springs of any type in accordance with combinations which are the function of possible couplings of at least one pair of holes of the two parallel rows of holes (5,5') of at least one bracket (2) with at least a pair of holes of the first series of upper holes (4) and lower holes (4') of the plate (1) ) and the second series of hole (6) of said plate (1) with the means of attachment of motors and /or compensation springs of any type. The universal means according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the fasteners (3) constraining the at least one bracket (2) to the plate (1) is selected from screws, bolts and pins passing through the aligned holes of the two parallel rows of holes (5, 5') of at least one bracket (2) and the holes of the first series of upper holes (4) and lower holes (4') of the plate (1).

Inventors: CATTANEO RINO, CATTANEO, RINO
Applicants: IMBAC SPA, I.M.B.A.C. S.P.A.
Application year: 1994
Main classification: E06B9
IPC codes: E06B9